Beware Century Link

[mflasch]

In an apparent disregard of The Villages Non Solicitation policy, representatives from Century Link showed up at my door yesterday and today. Some character named Bert was trying to push Century Link as our service provider. I said I wasn't interested and didn't appreciate being solicited. He was a little pushy and I just closed the door on him.
I then tried to contact VCCD, but they were closed until Monday and then contacted Community Watch who said they would send a driver out and take care of the problem.
Even if I were interested in changing providers it wouldn't be to Century Link due to their sales practice.

[dillywho]

:agree::agree:

They get run off and come back every few months.

[buzzy]

The one I encountered last year admitted to being an independent solicitor. If they enroll someone, they turn it in to CenturyLink for a commission. They have no ethics, and I suppose that CenturyLink would not care as long as they get another account.

[Sparty6971]

I live on Arredondo Drive in Santiago Village and this is to warn all my neighbors of a possible problem.

They (CenturyLink supposedly) are back and in their usual form. This afternoon about 6:00pm, a woman (short stature, white shirt, tan shorts, carrying a clipboard) came to the door purporting to be from CenturyLink and wanted to discuss Prism. She said according to her list (she had a big spreadsheet of names and addresses on her clipboard), we had "one of our products." I said actually I had all three - bundled phone, Internet, and DishTV. She wasn't aware of that and made a note of it. Oops, I shouldn't have told her maybe.

She then noticed/heard my wife rattling dishes in the Kitchen and said "Oh, I can tell your wife must be preparing supper. How long will that take and I can come back then and we can talk about converting you to Prism." While saying that, she was trying to look past/around me into the house. I moved to back her away from the front door and told her we were thinking about Prism and might go in to the office (near Target) but we weren't going to be pressured into anything, particularly by a door-to-door person. BTW, at no time did she show or offer to show any kind of CenturyLink identification. And, no her white shirt had no CenturyLink logo on it. Hmmmmm, kind of strange there.

Well I finally ran her off and said that maybe I wouldn't EVER convert to CenturyLink with the kind of pressure she was using to get us to talk with her. I'm afraid my language got a little raw at that point (hope she was offended). I called Community Watch to report the solicitation going on. CW thanked me and dispatched a vehicle to find the person. CW also advised me that if they show up again to call 911 while the solicitor was still present and report a trespasser. Not sure 911 is quite right (not life threatening) but at least the police Non-emergency number.

Is this person really soliciting for CenturyLink or did she just want to get a look at what stuff we had in the house? Probably was an independent working on commission for CenturyLink but we don't know. Hope this helps anyone that gets a visit by these people.

[Mallory Voice]

Next time a Century Link rep comes by the house, secure their business card.
Then call the company and complain. To the best of my knowledge you may be able to post a No Solicitor sign on your door.

Mallory Voice

[CTLvillagesrep]

...

[tag460]

I was glad they stopped by very happy with there service & monthly rate!

[CTLvillagesrep]

Do you remember which representative came to your home tag460?

[Indydealmaker]

I was glad they stopped by very happy with there service & monthly rate!

Thought you were in Alaska.

[CTLvillagesrep]

Thought you were in Alaska.

Is it not possible that he is a snowbird?

[Indydealmaker]

Is it not possible that he is a snowbird?

Usually a snowbird that owns property here has that in his TOTV profile.

[TennDrifter]

I have had (Internet) "Century Link for 16 months and noticed my bill the last 4 months had gone from $49 a month to $72. After calling I told them I wanted to cancel and they said since if I would "Re-New" my contract for 12 months that the bill would "go back" to $49 each month.

Why is it that (we) the customers have to find this out and that if you DON'T re-new your contract that your bill will increase by 50% !!! :a20: Why do they "neglect" to tell you this?

BEWARE as I am sure there are many that just "accept" their rate increase as I also don't understand why "The Villages" DON'T ALLOW competation with different Internet companies!

I have called AT&T...they are not allowed in my area..... I have called BRIGHT HOUSE .... they are not allowed in my area. Is The Villages THAT greedy in keeping everyone else OUT!

[rubicon]

i certainly agree with the position of not having to deal with solicitors at my door.

However competition is keen in this economy and I do understand an eagerness to increase membership. It might be better for customer relation sake to mail a flyer seeking permission to visit (an invitation)

The practice of making a promotional offer, then eventually raising the monthly cost is prevalent in many businesses Comcast, Century Link, Sirius etc

I also agree with the statement that business ethics seems to be out the window these days. thankfully there are still a few companies out there who are good corporate citizens and their leaders pillars of the community